18 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for the Instant Pot

A whole turkey makes quite the centerpiece, but if you're hosting a small get-together or your family loves white meat, then this quick and easy turkey breast is for you. While you clearly can't cook an entire turkey in even the largest Instant Pot, preparing a turkey breast in a multi-cooker can be quite a revelation. Recipe creator Tammy Lynn says, "The Instant Pot made the moistest turkey breast I have ever made...I couldn't believe that I had such a wonderful meal ready in less than an hour total!" (Note that some reviewers suggest cooking for 40 minutes rather than the suggested 30). Her recipe even includes instructions for turning the cooking liquid into gravy. Easy peasy!

The previous recipe includes instructions for how to make gravy in your Instant Pot, but if you need some extra instructions, check out this recipe. The basic idea is the same: Simply make a slurry with corn starch and water and mix it with the pan juices. This works even if you cooked your turkey in the oven; just pour the juices into your Instant Pot and proceed as directed.

This mildly spiced autumn soup is flavored with ginger and curry powder, and makes an excellent first course for your Thanksgiving feast. Home cook Heather Caza Patnode says, "This is absolutely delicious! I definitely will be making this again!"

Save room in your oven by making Thanksgiving dressing in your Instant Pot. Recipe creator Soup Loving Nicole offers this helpful tip: "Due to the way the bread absorbs the liquid, it is important that you cook this in two steps as noted." To save prep time on Thanksgiving, chop all your vegetables ahead of time and store in the fridge for a day or two.

Celery, onion, sage, and thyme flavor this classic dressing, while water chestnuts give it some crunch.

This classic Thanksgiving side dish is made with fresh green beans and a quick and easy homemade cream sauce (made right in the Instant Pot).

Allrecipes home cook Kristy says, "Yum! Do not change a thing! Don't forget to core your fresh Brussel's sprouts. I added two slices of turkey bacon. Will make this again and again."

The Instant Pot creates perfect candied sweet potatoes cooked in brown sugar, maple syrup, and margarine. Margy says, "Sweet potatoes can be candied really quickly in a pressure cooker."

Coconut milk adds another layer of flavor to this simple but satisfying sweet potato dish.

Recipe creator thedailygourmet says you can substitute frozen corn for fresh corn in this recipe if you thaw and drain it first.

Mac and cheese is a popular Thanksgiving side dish, and using your Instant Pot means the pasta will be done in four minutes. You read that right: four minutes. After that's done, all you have to do is stir in some evaporated milk, cheese, and mix-ins (omit the ham and cheese if you like), and voila! Reviewer ehirtle raves, "This recipe is awesome and perfect in the Instant Pot. It was easy to make and turned out amazingly creamy."

Free up some stovetop space and save time by making your mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot. It's easy to convert your favorite stovetop mashed potato recipe — like this one — into a multi-cooker recipe. Simply put the potatoes (peeled and quartered) in your Instant Pot, add just enough water to cover, then cook on high pressure for 10 minutes followed by a quick release (meaning you switch the gauge from sealing to venting to let all the steam escape quickly, rather than slowly and naturally depressurizing). Drain and proceed with the recipe as directed.

Squash makes a killer Thanksgiving side, but who has room in their oven on Thanksgiving for a veggie to slow-roast? Take advantage of your Instant Pot to cook up this acorn squash, with its delicious notes of brown sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Gary L. Nelson raves, "quick, easy, and the kids love it and so do I." What more could you want when it comes to a Thanksgiving side?

Fresh cranberries are cooked in port wine with enough sugar to balance the tartness of the berries. If you like a less sweet cranberry sauce, you can cut the amount of sugar you add for the initial cooking period, then give it a taste when you add the cinnamon stick for the second round of cooking and add more sugar if needed.

"This cranberry sauce practically makes itself!" says France C. "It's quick, and you won't have to keep a constant eye on it. Substitute the water for apple or orange juice, or do half water and half rum! Can be made several days ahead of time, will keep for at least a week in the refrigerator, and can even be frozen if needed."

OK, but what about making *the complete Thanksgiving meal* in the Instant Pot all at once? This recipe does just that! Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing — it's all in there! Leslie Kelly says, "This recipe takes the stress out of holiday cooking by turning to this awesome multi-tasking device. The key to getting the roasted flavor is to use a barbeque dry rub, such as the seasoning from Rendezvous in Memphis, Tennessee."

This cheesecake doesn't crack! Home cook Jenski offers these helpful tips: "I lined the pan with parchment paper for easier removal and baked the crust in 350° oven for 15 min. for a firmer crust. I mixed 1/2 cup of sour cream with a teaspoon of sugar to coat the cheesecake while it was still warm. Otherwise, I followed the recipe. This came out beautifully, was delicious and my guests all loved it. I will make it again and again"

Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this dessert may become your new Thanksgiving mainstay. "It's reminiscent of carrot cake, with the complementary flavors of pineapple and raisin, but with a bread pudding-like consistency. Frost as desired," recipe creator Diana71 says.